Tasting Notes

Stouts are traditionally top-fermented ales. However, the folks at Millstream Brewing Company wanted to combine the smooth, clean, easy-drinking qualities of a lager beer with the rich flavor characteristics of a full-bodied stout, thus, we have their Colony Oatmeal Stout "Lager". Expect a roasted malt aroma with notes of chocolate milk and creamed coffee. A slight chicory note is complemented by the oatmeal scents. Flavor quite closely parallels the nose, with the clean, smooth finish one expects from the lagering process. 10% of the grains used to brew this beer are oatmeal, which contribute to the full-body, while the lager yeast make for a very clean, crisp finish in this well-balanced stout.

Tasting Notes

Stouts are traditionally top-fermented ales. However, the folks at Millstream Brewing Company wanted to combine the smooth, clean, easy-drinking qualities of a lager beer with the rich flavor characteristics of a full-bodied stout, thus, we have their Colony Oatmeal Stout "Lager". Expect a roasted malt aroma with notes of chocolate milk and creamed coffee. A slight chicory note is complemented by the oatmeal scents. Flavor quite closely parallels the nose, with the clean, smooth finish one expects from the lagering process. 10% of the grains used to brew this beer are oatmeal, which contribute to the full-body, while the lager yeast make for a very clean, crisp finish in this well-balanced stout.

About the Brewery

If ever there was a place long overdue for a new brewery, it was Amana, IA. Until the Millstream Brewing Company opened their doors in 1985, the area had not been graced by the presence of a brewery for over 100 years. Why it took that long to get a brewery going in Amana, we don't know. What we do know is that the Millstream Brewing Company, founded by brothers James and Dennis Roemig and Carroll F. Zuber, was born out of a love for the finest European ales & lagers and the will to brew great, handcrafted beers locally. Oh, another thing we know... 21 years after their beers hit the market, they just keep getting better!
To help kick things off, they hired one of the country's most accomplished masterbrewers, Joseph Pickett Sr., to develop their recipes. Joe formulated their initial three offerings, which remained the brewery's primary line up until about 6 years ago when it was sold to Chris Priebe, Aaron Taubman, and Teresa Sly Albert. As you might expect, along with the new owners came new brews; the new threesome added a German Style Pilsner, Oatmeal Stout, and several other fantastic seasonals. Chris and Aaron both trained at the Siebel Institute of Brewing Technology, so rest assured, their brewing skills make the cut on paper... But hey, paper doesn't taste all that great, so get to the tasting notes below and pour a couple of their beers for the real proof behind their brewing prowess!
For more information about the brewery and scheduled tours--call (319) 622-3672 or check out their web site at www.millstreambrewing.com.

About the Brewery

If ever there was a place long overdue for a new brewery, it was Amana, IA. Until the Millstream Brewing Company opened their doors in 1985, the area had not been graced by the presence of a brewery for over 100 years. Why it took that long to get a brewery going in Amana, we don't know. What we do know is that the Millstream Brewing Company, founded by brothers James and Dennis Roemig and Carroll F. Zuber, was born out of a love for the finest European ales & lagers and the will to brew great, handcrafted beers locally. Oh, another thing we know... 21 years after their beers hit the market, they just keep getting better!
To help kick things off, they hired one of the country's most accomplished masterbrewers, Joseph Pickett Sr., to develop their recipes. Joe formulated their initial three offerings, which remained the brewery's primary line up until about 6 years ago when it was sold to Chris Priebe, Aaron Taubman, and Teresa Sly Albert. As you might expect, along with the new owners came new brews; the new threesome added a German Style Pilsner, Oatmeal Stout, and several other fantastic seasonals. Chris and Aaron both trained at the Siebel Institute of Brewing Technology, so rest assured, their brewing skills make the cut on paper... But hey, paper doesn't taste all that great, so get to the tasting notes below and pour a couple of their beers for the real proof behind their brewing prowess!
For more information about the brewery and scheduled tours--call (319) 622-3672 or check out their web site at www.millstreambrewing.com.